Bob Thompson

Bob Thompson

In the late evening hours of Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012 the master gardener checked on the last of his harvest, and carefully covered, and secured them. He stepped out into the evening air, and suddenly the angels sang in celebration, that a good and faithful servant had returned home.

Robert Maeser Thompson, a loving husband, father, Papa, and great-Poppy, returned home to the Master Gardener. Bob was born Sept. 3, 1929 in Provo and was the oldest of five children born to Tenus and Evelyn Maeser Thompson. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Orem. He was called to serve in the Korean War for the United States Army. Bob returned to finish his degree at Brigham Young University where he received his degree in Botany and Range Management. He loved his career and every plant and tree in the forest. As many know he was a walking computer when it came to knowing "them there hills". He had many 'students' in the field and most were honored to get to spend the day with Bob. He knew more of the Manti-La Sal and surrounding mountains than most, he was a true expert in the field. He talked of his job like it wasn't really a big deal, but we all knew better. He improved thousands of acres of rangeland; the most significant to his family was "Bob's Garden", a beautiful spot on the top of Skyline Drive. He received many awards and honors for his range management accomplishments. Bob discovered two plants and they bear his name. He has a large herbarium, which he worked on daily, and he has an equally large one that remained with the Price Forestry Office.

Bob found love in Ephraim and married Nancy Nielson on May 29, 1959. Bob and Nancy have four children, which they raised in Price. They had a few opportunities to leave Carbon County and decided to continue to make it home, and lived there for 50 years. They just celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary. Bob and Nancy are a great example of love and devotion.

He was a true master gardener, wood worker, teacher, friend, and parent. He will be missed greatly by this world, for it was truly a better place because of him.